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Colorful chiffon handkerchief sent by Kindertransport refugee to her mother

Object | Accession Number: 2011.412.3

Colorful handkerchief sent by 11 year old Ruth Mondschein from the Netherlands in 1939 to her mother, Hella, in Vienna, Austria. Ruth had been sent on a Kindertransport [Children's Transport] from Austria on December 10, 1938. Her father, Markus, was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for Ruth and her brother, Walter, 6, to escape on the first Kindertransport to the Netherlands. The children later were sent to an aunt in the United States, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Square faded multicolor chiffon handkerchief with a stitched rolled edge. The overall pattern of concentric squares has a narrow square outline of purple stars, next a wider square band of purple branches with green, red, and yellow flowers, and a large inner square filled with a star and branch pattern. The edge is frayed and detaching from one corner.

Dimensions

overall : 13.250 x 13.125 in. (33.655 x 33.338 cm.)

Materials

overall : cloth, thread

Contributor

Subject:
Ruth Zimbler

Biography

Ruth Mondschein was born on February 22, 1928, in Vienna, Austria, to Hene Libe (Hella) and Markus Bloch Zimbler. Ruth’s younger brother, Walter, was born in 1932. Hella was born on September 4, 1896, in Brody, Poland (Ukraine), to Chaya Rachel Bloch. She had an older sister, Mindl,who lived in Brody with her daughter. Markus was born on October 12, 1890, in Kalusz, Poland (Ukraine). He had three brothers: Max, Solomon, and Jacob; one brother lived in Vienna with his wife and child; another lived with his family in Krakow, Poland. Markus had been a prisoner of war in Siberia during World War I (1914-1918) but was released due to the Russian Revolution in 1917. The couple married on March 22, 1925. Hella was a well-known dressmaker, specializing in white goods sewing for wedding trousseaus. Markus had been a mechanical engineer working on locomotives, but lost his job in 1930 because if the decreased demand for trains. Hella had many good connections in the Jewish community from her work and Markus now worked in social services for the Jewish Community in Vienna. They were an observant Jewish family and kept kosher. Markus’s job included an apartment one of the two buildings adjacent to the largest synagogue in the city on Temple Street. Ruth went to public school, but attended Hebrew school in the afternoon. The family spent their summer vacations in the Austrian Alps.

On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria and annexed the country. Ruth could see the synagogue from their house and saw what happened after vandals threw a smoke bomb into the second floor women’s gallery.. A female American journalist came to the house and Hella showed her the damage. The journalist said she would write about it, but nobody would believe it. The library of the Theological Seminary was housed in their building and one day a German SS lieutenant colonel, came to their apartment to get the keys. He said that he was selecting the most precious manuscripts for a future museum to the extinct Jews. The rest of the books were taken away as well. Ruth’s life changed quickly. The non-Jewish children ignored her and she could no longer check out books from the library. By May, Ruth could no longer attend public school, and switched to a Jewish school. Markus often was forced to scrub the Austrian election insignia on the streets. On the morning of the Kristallnacht pogrom, November 9-10, German SA groups assembled on the family’s block. The caretaker of the apartment building told Hella to leave and find a safe place for the children. Hella took them to a paternal aunt’s home in the suburbs. When she returned, she found that Markus and the housekeeper had been arrested and the apartment sealed. German authorities forced Ruth’s aunt out of her apartment and told her to take the children back to their parents. The next day, the aunt brought Ruth and Walter back and all they could see was a line of fire engines. The inside of the synagogue was burned, the stained glass windows were broken, and valuable objects were looted. A neighbor waved them upstairs, and later they saw Hella out of the window. Their housekeeper, Marie, who was non-Jewish, was released from jail, but Markus was transferred to Dachau concentration camp. After thirty-six hours, he was released on the condition that he leaves the country. On November 20, after the Jewish community intervened, the family was allowed to return to their apartment, but they found that all of their belongings were gone. Markus arranged to send Ruth and Walter on the first Kindertransport [Children’s Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10. They lived in an empty school in The Hague that was converted into a dormitory and were quarantined for six weeks. They received clothing, inoculations, and physical examinations. One of Markus’ brothers lived in Vienna with his wife and child; another brother lived with his family in Krakow, Poland. They later lived in a suburb, with plans to return to Vienna and obtain visas for England. After the outbreak of war on September 1, 1939, Ruth and Walter returned to The Hague and began school. Ruth frequently corresponded with her parents in Vienna. In October, a Dutch official took them to the German embassy in Amsterdam for their passports and the American consulate for their green cards. Their mother learned that neighbors were going to be on a ship leaving Rotterdam on October 16, and she repeatedly contacted the Dutch government to let her children travel with the. They arrived in New York on October 26. The children lived with their aunt in Brooklyn. Hella and Markus sailed on the last ship to leave Trieste, Italy, and arrived in New York on November 17. The family settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The family later found out that their family members living in Poland had been brought into the synagogue and shot. Of the family members who stayed on Europe, only one cousin survived. Ruth married Milton Zimbler on June 1, 1958, and they had two children. Markus passed away, age 70, on November 16, 1961. Hella passed away, age 95, on November 20, 1991.

Record last modified: 2018-10-24 14:09:10
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn47256

Also in Ruth Mondschein Zimbler collection

The collection consists of three handerkerchiefs, a cloth case, three children's books, Jewish prayer books, correspondence, documents, and photographs relating to the experiences of Ruth Mondschein and her family in Vienna, Austria, and as a Kindertransport refugee in the Netherlands with her younger brother before the Holocaust, as well as the family's separate journeys to the United States in 1939.

Embroidered cloth portfolio made by 10 year old Ruth Mondschein in the Netherlands after her parents sent her there on a Kindertransport [Children's Transport] from Austria on December 10, 1938. She used the portfolio to keep the letters she received from her parents, Hella and Markus. Her father was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport to the Netherlands. The children later were sent to an aunt in the United States, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Silk handkerchief with green dots, embroidered Ruth, sent to Ruth Mondschein for her 11th birthday by Marie, the family's housekeeper in Vienna. Ruth was living in the Netherlands where her parents had sent her on a Kindertransport [Children's Transport] from Austria on December 10, 1938. Her father, Markus, and Marie were arrested at the family's home on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938. Marie, who was not Jewish, was quickly released. Markus was sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for Ruth and her brother, Walter, 6, to escape on the first Kindertransport to the Netherlands. The children later were sent to an aunt in the United States, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Silk handkerchief with blue dots, embroidered Ruth, sent to Ruth Mondschein for her 11th birthday by Marie, the family's housekeeper in Vienna. Ruth was living in the Netherlands where her parents had sent her on a Kindertransport [Children's Transport] from Austria on December 10, 1938. Her father, Markus, and Marie were arrested at the family's home on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938. Marie, who was not Jewish, was quickly released. Markus was sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for Ruth and her brother, Walter, 6, to escape on the first Kindertransport to the Netherlands. The children later were sent to an aunt in the United States, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Child's book of fairy tales brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna in fall 1939 to join their children, Ruth, 11, and Walter, 6, in the United States. Nazi Germany annexed Austria in March 1938. Anti-Jewish laws were immediately enacted. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for Ruth and Walter to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents arrived in November and the family settled in New York.

Child's book, Maya the Bee and her adventures, brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Children's book, Joli, brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the United States, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Children's book, Heidi, brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Mahzor brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Book for Rosh ha-Shanah brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Book for Rosh ha-Shanah brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Book for Rosh ha-Shanah brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Siddur brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Siddur brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Mahzor carried by Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Haggadah brought with Hella and Markus Mondschein when they left Vienna, Austria, for the United States in the fall of 1939. Markus was arrested on Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. He was released on the condition that he leave the country. He arranged for 10 year old Ruth and her 6 year old brother, Walter, to escape on the first Kindertransport [Children's Transport] to the Netherlands on December 10, 1938. The children later were sent to an aunt in the US, arriving on October 26, 1939. Ruth's parents emigrated on November 17, and the family settled in New York.

Learn about over 1,000 camps and ghettos in Volume I and II of this encyclopedia, which are available as a free PDF download. This reference provides text, photographs, charts, maps, and extensive indexes.